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Why Recycle?

  • Recycling one ton of paper saves three cubic yards of landfill space

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  • If every American household recycled just one milk jug, we'd keep 200 million pounds of plastic out of the landfill.

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  • Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV set for three hours.

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  • Incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates 12 jobs. Landfilling the same amount creates 6 jobs while recycling the same 10,000 tons creates 36 jobs.

WHAT CAN I RECYCLE?

Recycling is important because it helps to conserve our natural resources and protect the environment. By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metals, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and prevent the depletion of valuable resources. Recycling also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. When we recycle, we are not only helping to preserve the planet for future generations, but we are also supporting the economy by creating jobs in the recycling industry. Recycling is a simple and effective way that each of us can make a positive impact on the environment and the world around us.

Disposal / Recycle Guide

In general, all types of glass can be recycled, but there are a few exceptions. The following are the types of glass that should be recycled:

Disposal / Recycle Guide

Disposal / Recycle Guide

GLASS

  1. Clear glass - This includes clear jars, bottles, and other containers.

  2. Colored glass - This includes green, blue, and brown glass jars, bottles, and other containers.

  3. Glass beverage containers - This includes wine bottles, beer bottles, and other glass beverage containers.

  4. Glass food containers - This includes glass jars and bottles that previously held food items such as spaghetti sauce, pickles, and jam.

  5. Heat-resistant glass - This includes glass cookware, bakeware, and ovenware, such as Pyrex dishes.

In general, all types of glass can be recycled, but there are a few exceptions. The following are the types of glass that should be recycled:

PLASTIC

  1. PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) - Water bottles, soft drink bottles, peanut butter jars

  2. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) - Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles

  3. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) - Pipes, medical tubing, flooring

  4. LDPE (low-density polyethylene) - Plastic bags, six-pack rings, squeeze bottles

  5. PP (polypropylene) - Yogurt containers, ketchup bottles, medicine bottles

  6. PS (polystyrene) - Foam cups, takeout containers, packing peanuts

  7. Other - Includes any plastics that don't fall into the other categories, such as polycarbonate (PC) used in baby bottles or acrylic (PMMA) used in some signs and displays.

In general, all types of glass can be recycled, but there are a few exceptions. The following are the types of glass that should be recycled:

PAPER

  1. Office paper: This includes printer paper, copy paper, envelopes, notepads, and sticky notes.

  2. Cardboard: This includes shipping boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes, and other types of cardboard packaging.

  3. Newspapers and magazines: This includes daily newspapers, weekly or monthly magazines, and inserts.

  4. Junk mail: This includes envelopes, catalogs, advertisements, and flyers.

  5. Paper bags: This includes shopping bags and other types of paper packaging.

  6. Phone books and directories.

  7. Wrapping paper: This includes non-foil, non-metallic wrapping paper.

There are many types of paper that should be recycled to help reduce the amount of waste in landfills and conserve natural resources. Here are some common types of paper that are typically recyclable:

METAL

  1. Aluminum: This includes aluminum cans, foil, and other aluminum packaging.

  2. Steel: This includes tin cans, steel food containers, and other types of steel packaging.

  3. Copper: This includes copper wire, pipes, and other copper components.

  4. Brass: This includes brass fixtures, plumbing components, and other brass items.

  5. Silver: This includes silverware, jewelry, and other silver items.

  6. Gold: This includes jewelry, dental fillings, and other gold items.

  7. Lead: This includes lead batteries, lead-acid batteries, and other lead components.

  8. Nickel: This includes nickel-cadmium batteries, and other nickel components.

Recycling metal is an important way to conserve natural resources and reduce the amount of waste in landfills. Here are some common types of metal that should be recycled:

Become a Recycling Expert

Whether you’re at home or at work, we’ve got the tools to set you up for recycling success.

STEP 1

Whether you use new containers, repurposed boxes or reusable bags, set your recycling container next to the trash bin — this works for recycling in several rooms in your home or at work.

Grab Two Containers

STEP 2

Download and print Recycling and Trash labels in the Recycling Resources section and place them on each container to ensure the right items go into the right bins.

Label Both Containers

STEP 3

Remember, recycling right is as easy as recycling clean bottles, cans, paper and cardboard. Download posters from the Recycling Resources section and put on your refrigerator or place them by the recycling bins at home and work.

Start Recycling

STEP 4

Plastic bags can shut down an entire recycling plant, so don’t toss loose plastic bags into your curbside recycling bin and never bag your recyclables. Empty loose recyclable items directly into the bin.

Plastic Bags: Recycling's Enemy

STEP 5

Recycling is easy and convenient — toss your clean and dry bottles, cans, paper and cardboard together in your recycling container. Empty smaller bins used throughout your home or business into your large recycling bin — and remember to free your recyclables — no plastic bags.

Better Together

STEP 6

The easiest way to be an avid recycler is to make a commitment to recycle the right way, every day. Once you get into that groove, you’ll find recycling seamlessly integrates into your everyday life. Then go and share your passion for recycling with family and friends, and make purchase choices based on recyclability.

Keep It Up

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